THE THEATRES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18442, 18 April 1928, Page 7

THE THEATRES.

ATTRACTIONS FOR THE WEEK. aVIETBOPY'S THEATRE •• IT JCUST Bfl LOVB ” BTEXYBODY’B THEATRE •< HAH OXtAXT ” OXBATER CRYSTAL PALACE “ THE X.ZX'Z OP tULEY " LIBERTY THEATRE “ THE TXXXTSaRTH JHROR " LIBERTY THEATRE ** SPOILERS OT' ! 'TXB WEST ” OXAHD THEATRE “ THE XIHG OP XHTGS ” QUEEN'S THEATRE » THE VOLGA BOATMAN ” QUEEN S THEATRE - WHY WORRY ” STRAND THEATRE “ BATTLING SUTLER " STRAND THEATRE «« X.OVS MAXES ’BM WILD ” PULLER'S OPERA HOUSE PULLER’S MUSICAL COMEDY CO. In *• ARCHIE ”

MUSICAL TREAT TO BE GIVEN AT NEW CONCERT HALL. The committee of the Harmonic So ciety has every confidence that it can present a real musical treat e.\ tne concerts which art to be helci this •week in the Municipal Concert Hall Included in the programme is the famous solo ajid chorus. “Hear My Prayer.” The boy who will take the solo part is certain to create a very favourable impression, as he is a beautiful singer, and. in addition to a lovely voice, has a line stage personality. The duet, “I Waited for the Lord,” sung by Miss Ailsa Xicol and Mrs R E. Voller, is sure to be appreciated. The cantata. “Hymn of Praise” (Mendelssohn). contains some striking and stirring choruses, which rouse and thrill the hearer. In addition to numerous part songs and choruses. Miss ' Alice Vinsen and Mr Arthur S Bell, both of whom are well known and artistic singers, will contribute solos. For the accompaniments Miss Blanche Atkinson will be at the piano, and the society has secured a positive organ, which will be played for the choruses, in conjunction with the piano, by Mr Melville Lawry. Booking is now in progress at The Bristol. “ THE KING OF KINGS ” WILL FINISH AT GRAND THIS WEEK. A picture that runs in Christchurch for three weeks has undoubtedly a very wide appeal. Those who have seen “The King of Kings,” which is now being shown for a third week at the Grand Theatre, can easily understand the reason for the extended season of this great production. The story follows the Gospels, and the few liberties taken with the text have not robbed the production of any of its poetic beauty. The most wonderful scenes are the Crucifixion and the Resurrection .A splendid cast portrays the various roles, and here, credit must be given the producer for his fine choice of players. A special programme of music is given by the Grand Orchestra, which has been augmented for the occasion. Special items are given also by a party of choristers. DRAMATIC PICTURE NOW SHOWING AT QUEEN’S THEATRE. An intensely dramatic picture, with all the tragedy of the Russian revolution vividly portrayed. “ The Volga Boatman,” which is now being shown at the Queen's Theatre, must surely be classed as one of the finest productions of the screen. Much of the success of the film is due to the wonderful characterisations. William Boyd in the title role as Feodor, a Volga boatman, scores a veritable triumph. Elinor Fair, as the beautiful Russian princess, is deserving of unstinted praise for the fine part she plays. The supporting cast has been admirably chosen. The second attraction, “ Why Worry?” with the popular Harold Lloyd in the lead-

ing role, is a rollicking comedy dealing} with the adventures of a young man j who imagines he is suffering from every I ill. He seeks health on an island in the l tropics, but runs into a Mexican revolution. Two comedies, a scenic, and a news film are the supports to a first-class programme. FINE COMEDIES ARE BI G ATTRACTION AT EVERYBODY’S. Laughter and tears are featured in r olleen Moore's latest picture. “It Must Re Love,” which is being shown at Everybody's Theatre. It is a fine picture, the dramatic work in which is most admirably portrayed. Colleen Moore has the support of a strong cast, which includes Jean Ilersholt, Malcolm M’Gregor, Arthur Stone. Bodil Rosing and Mary O'Brien. The picture is well produced and is a real cure for the blues When the old-fashioned dignity of the prim and proper New England clashes with modern youth, sparks are sure to fly. This is just what happened in “Man Crazy,” the First National relea.se, which is the supporting film of a high-class programme. Dorothy Mackaill and Tack MulhaJl are in the leading roies. “Man xCrazy” is an adaptation of the story, “Clarissa and the Post Road.” a tale dealing with the survivors of a very aristocratic New England family. Mr All>crt Bidgood directs the Select Orchestra in a pleasing musical programme. MYSTERY DRAMA NOW SHOWING AT LIBERTY THEATRE. Many films have been based on the vagaries of circumstantial evidence, but it is doubtful if one of more throbbing interest has been shown in Christchurch than “The Thirteenth Juror.” The theme has been treated from a new angle, and it is out of the run of the usual mystery pictures, for the spectator is given the whole of the plot as the story unwinds, the only people, apparently, who are ignorant of the true state of affairs being the participants. Worked into the film is a story of the worth of true friendship. and as the plot develops this becomes almost more important for its success than the circumstantial evidence basis. In a totally different class of entertainment is “Spoilers of the West,'' but it is none the less enjoyable It is a story of the days when the Red men of America were being pushed back into the West in order to make room for white settlers. The Liberty Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Ernest Jamieson, proJ*d« an excellent musical programme..

“ THE LIFE OF RILEY ” IS FUNNY COMEDY AT CRYSTAL PALACE. A sure tonic for jaded threatre-goers ; |is provided at the Crystal Palace j Theatre this week in the film “The Life of Riley?.’* It is irresistibly funny, and is a production that is bound to appeal !to everyone. There are few who have I not been delighted and intrigued with the acting of Charlie Murray, that finj ished exponent of the art of Irish imJ personations. He is seen at his best I in “The Life of Riley,” and he sees to 1 it that there is not a dull moment in the whole piece. Playing with him is George Sidney, another famous comic actor of the silver sheet, and the two combine to make one of the most laughable releases for many months. The principals combine their public duty of police and fire chiefs respectively with much courtship of a wealthy I widow. There is deadly rivalry between the two. and this is responsible for some very laughable situations. The Symphony Orchestra, under the conduetorsbip of Mr Alfred Bunz, plays an admirable musical programme. MUSICAL COMEDY SEASON CONCLUDES AT THEATRE ROYAL. “Queen High.” the .1. C. Williamson musical comedy which finished its season at the Theatre Royal last evening. has been even more talked of than its amazingly popular predecessor, “Tip Toes.*’ During its all too short season, the piece never failed to attract capacity houses, and no one who saw it was anything but highly delighted. The acting of the principals combined with a clever plot and witty dialogue to make the show’ wonderfully bright. In the leading parts were Mr BarrettLennard and Mr John Stuart, who, in their presentations of the two partner* in a business, were irreproachable. There were many pretty* songs, of which perhaps the most popular was “Everything Will Happen for the Best,” sung bv Miss Thelma Durness. “ARCHIE” DRAWS BIG CROWDS TO NEW OPERA HOUSE. Perhaps no musical comedy so rich in good things as “Archie” has come to Christchurch before. “Archie,” with Elsie Prince and Jimmy Godden in the lead, is now running at the New Opera House and should draw packed houses for every performance in this city. From beginning to end the piece is a riot of fun. There is very littlo plot, but quite enough cn which to hang a series of scintillating scenes The songs and music are mostly well known and very popular, but in their proper setting they take on an added appeal and are heard again with fresh delight. Much of the success of rhe show depends on the dancing, of which there is plenty, and that of the highest order.